Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-06-27
A PURELY LOCAL AFFAIR,
Gotten Up at Home to Settle 4 Family
Dispute.
THOMAS JOHNS and WILLIAM EVANS
Settle Quarrel Started by Their Wives and
Children.
EVAEo REMAIESGANE TO The LAST,
But His Seconds Give Up the Fight

4 short time ago, two children, one be-
longing to William II. Evans and the
other TO Thomas W. Johns, both of 4Etna-
willie, became involved in a childish dis
pute, and in turn, the mothers, each think
ing her child blameleSs, quarrelled over
the matter On Saturday evening, June
10th, the husbands became more OF less
intoxicated, and while in that condition
became involved in q fight over the dis
pute their wives had INDUCED in during
the week previous Both men were ar
rested by the Bridgeport authorities and
fined for fighting. On the next Monday
the women again met and engaged in
an argument as to which husband
WIS the best man. Words would
not settle il, so they ar
ranged after much bantering, for their
husbands to fight the matter out, and set
tie the difficulty tor good, after which set
tlement 1t was agreed that no matter
which proved to possess the most Prowess
in battle, all hands were TO make up the
quarrel and resume their
FORMER FRIENDLY RELATIONS.
This arrangement was broached to the
men, who agreed to the terms made by
their female seconds, and expressed per
feet willingness to DO battle TO decide the
merits OF the ease. The plan was dis
closed 10 few intimate friends, and in
turn several sporting men Of that locality
got onto the proposed iracaS and con-
pleted the arrangements by put
ting up small purse, and
making several side bets just to make il
interesting. To these sports WAS left all
the final arrangements, including the time,
Mace and other smaller matters Of detail.
The seconds were chosen, and the neces'
sArv clmph0r and whisky bottles, towels,
sporges and other
PEIZE RING PARPHENALIA
secured. and for several days short hair,
and some long hair, bristled with excite
meut over the coming battle. Of course IT
would have 70 be in the early morning AT
sunrise. or before. but the morning could
not be decided upon. Johns is a puddleT
IN the .Etua Iron and Steel Works,
aud Evans, q heater in the same mill. To
choose any other time than Sunday morn
iug would neCeSSitate their lOOsing time al
work, and besides, no other day presented
30 good an opportunity for spectators. Ac'
corGiuglv Yesterday morning was decided
upon A. the time to light, and after muct
discussion. il was agreed that level place
on the Ohio River beach, about q mile
above Wheeling, on this side Of the river
should be the scene of the mill. About q
hundred OF those known to feel lively
interest in such matters, were notified ol
the time and place, and at twelve
O'Clock Saturday night, nearly all these
had been rendCZyOuSed In well-knOwn
.E.narille saloon. and were waiting tOl
starting time, all seemingly eager TO 20 u
the battle ground, and watch the gladia
tors perform on each others cOuntenance:
aud bodies. While here, much bad liquor
was tanked, and by the time the clock an
uOuncyd that i'm another hour, the mrs.
streaks OF dawn would appear in the East
all were IN
4 HILARIOUS FRAME or MIND,
and we're ready to gaze with pleasure upOr
almost anything but a funk. Evan'
and Johns kept their sand up, and im-
bIbed supdrV drinks of the ardent, to tir'
their valor Ia its highest pitch, but still
managed to remaiu duly sober and keel
clear heads. aS the tieTeeQeSS and skill dis
PLAYED in the encounter shows.
At about two o'clock the party launched
q, rumh-r OF skiffs, prepared and in wait
inp and started for the designated pound
inc nal site. The rowing up the nyel
was slow and tedious, and it was nearly
four o'clock before a suitable piece o
ground outside the city limits WAS found
The ground decided upon, the excursion
party disembarked, and the proyer6la
twenty-tOur foot ring was formed. Faddy
Prial aud Henry Mckenzie, the latter
new arrival from Pittshurg, were chOser
seconds for Johns. and = well known
GEAY-HAIEED WHEELING SPORT
for Evans A Martins Ferry sporting
man. known almost all over the country
for his honor and fairness in such matters
WAS elected referee, and after the prinei
Gals had dotled all unnecessary clothing
she mill was begun.
Both the men are natives of Wales, anC
are well-made. wiry specimens, WORKED
down to muscle and Sinew by their heavy
labor in the mills. Both were in excellent
condition and were we'll prepared to fac'
each other IN the ring. Johns Is about lv'
feet ten inches and weighs about Que hRn
dred and fifty or sixty pounds. Evans Is
Smaller man, but IS more cOmpactly bunt
and has the appearance Of more endurance
and pertiGagity than his opponent n,
stands about eve feet seven inches anC
weighs almost rs nEe& - Johns.